Our COVID-19 Vaccine Centre Meet and Greet volunteers are based at University Hospital, Coventry escorting patients from our outpatients department up to the COVID-19 Vaccine Centre on the 1st Floor. Volunteers are also meeting and greeting patients, staff and members of the community at the entrance of the COVID-19 Vaccine Centre. Volunteers are required between the hours of 8am and 8pm Monday – Sunday.

After a short stay in University Hospital and watching volunteers come on to the ward to help with feeding etc I said to myself I can do that. I am retired so had time on my hands toy box permitting. I have had first class treatment for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm at Northampton General, and a course of Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer and a five-day layover for Diabetes, I made my mind up to put something back.

I had an application form sent to me, filled it in and I put ward work and driving as my preferred work, at the Induction given by Sukie I was asked if driving my own car appealed to me after the explanation of what was wanted I stepped up and said yes.

I never really know what is going to happen from one day to the next or even hour to hour some days, a call from Kristine, Sukie or Cherelle in the volunteer's office can alter my plans with pick-ups from anywhere to go to University Hospital or the Hospital of St Cross or to take a patient home.

My car is a Chrysler 300, which is not a Bentley as many of my passengers think it is.

I have lived in in Coventry for two years and would recommend volunteering to anyone.

Christine Masterton

I began working as a volunteer for the phlebotomy department in 2013 at University Hospital Coventry. I started my volunteer work by visiting different wards completing satisfaction surveys with patients. I found this to be a very interesting role talking to real people about their experiences and getting to offer an ear to listen when people need it the most. Soon after, I then moved to the check in desk where I would offer assistance to those who needed help checking in for their blood test. I love to help people so the role fitted well with why I wanted to be a volunteer in the first place. Alongside this I took on another role in the Arden Centre for the breast care nurses helping them with paperwork and putting information packs together, this lead on to helping with the Look Good Feel Better scheme that the hospital runs for women with cancer. Serving tea and coffee to the lovely ladies that visited the group whilst they were either getting treated or have just finished their treatment. This was one of my favourite parts of my job over the years.

I became a volunteer originally because I wanted to give back to the NHS. Over my time, friends and family, those close to me, have all come under the care of the amazing doctors and nurses of the National Health Service. It only felt right for me volunteer my time to try and help too. Being at the Arden Centre especially means a lot to me, as cancer has touched my family and I felt it is the best way to thank the wonderful members of staff that have treated those close to me.

I feel a sense of satisfaction in contributing my time, as well as enjoying the camaraderie of fellow volunteers. I look forward to coming in a few days a week to play my part in the hospital assisting with patients and staff. I can honestly say I love what I do and after 7 years I have a lot of memories and I am looking forward to being there for years to come.

Ash Patini

19 years ago, my Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given 6 – 12 months to live.  I was 42 years old then.  This news took a while for it to sink in for the both of us.  My Mum wanted no one around other than me to help and support her through this frightening and unknown journey.  Although, I felt so privileged, equally I was scared out of my wits and shed so many tears behind my Mum’s back as she depended on my strength to help her through this tragic time.

I had no perception of the NHS as I never had any great need for it as I generally enjoyed good health. 

As time went on and we had constant visits to this hospital for my Mum’s treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and generally to speak to consultants and nursing staff.

Over time my world seemed to divide into two; the one I was living and working in and the other with the NHS and its staff.  The care and compassion given to me and my Mum started to become my real world and one which I wanted to be a part of.  I’ve never seen anything like it before; the incredible dedication, commitment and how tirelessly the NHS staff worked and most of all their care and compassion shown to me.

Sadly, 11 months later my Mum passed away.  I went back to my superficial world and yet my thoughts were constantly with the NHS staff that helped me through these tough times.  The only way I felt I could pay the NHS back was somehow to give my time and emulate some of the care and compassion shown to me.

The desire was so strong that I held this vision for the next 14 years and took the opportunity to retire early at the age of 57 and started my long awaited venture as a volunteer with this hospital.  The feeling was so euphoric and equally scary as this was a massive turning point in my life.

I have been a volunteer for almost five years now and the purpose is so incredible that it cannot be matched by anything I have done in the past.  I’m finally part of the real world and by far they have been the best five years of my life.

My motivation and drive comes from the teams or people I work with.  It’s an immense joy to be surrounded by caring, compassionate people who work tirelessly and brings me a huge amount of satisfaction if I can be part of making their lives easier.

Finally, I’ve been quite reluctant to publicise what I do as it’s an inherited value from my Mum that I should quietly be giving something back without any praise or glory.

Let’s face it how often do we take time out to praise and glorify the NHS.

Bizhan Efteki

I have always wanted to work in the heath sector, and to follow in the footsteps of my mum as she is a nurse and runs a clinic for heart patients, at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.  From when I was young, I heard from my mum of how great it is to work for UHCW, so becoming a volunteer was the logical step for me.  

When I joined, I had no idea what it was going to be like. I have a diagnosis of high-functioning autism, which can make it difficult to communicate what I want to say. In addition to my autism I am visually impaired, which means that I may need extra support with filling out any paperwork. Becoming a volunteer helped me to improve my communication skills, as well as my ability to respond to situations and has made me a more confident person. 

Everyone that I work with from those at the help desk to Kristine and Sukie, who oversee our volunteer team, have been supportive and helpful. Overall becoming a volunteer has helped me become confident in myself.